"My point would be that it's all relative to when the "snapshot" is taken. I believe I already agreed that some hunters, (most probably the Monday one day warriors) have quit due to seeing less deer."
I agree. But to the sport of hunting those people are just as important as you, I or any other more than casual hunter. Their money supports the wildlife management just the same, and their voice carries just as muchweightagainst anti-hunting (or antideer) interests, andother legislative issues. If were willing to "do without" all those that are less than die-hards, we'd most likely have even far fewer hunters than we do currently. I dont think that to be a "good" thing.
"That doesnt change the fact that our numbers are dropping at an alarming rate all across the country "
Yeah, well we need to worry less about Timbuktu and worry more about our state. We shouldnt heap even more hunter unfriendly agendas upon our plate as we have, compounding the problem and refuse to address it.
"or that other states have people just as vocal as you making similar doomsayer predictions."
No placein this nation has as much "fighting" going on over itshunting... NO WHERE. Nor even close. Nor is there as much distrust, Nor is there an attempt to cling to a proven miserably failed deer program.
"As a matter of fact, folks like you have been warning of impending doom here in Pa for quite a long time."
And the same could be said of the "anti-deer" factions. Predictions made MANY decades ago that were absolutely rediculous. Predicting doom far greater than anyone else has predicted. Even with far far fewer deer. Shortly after the herd was rebuilt, the predictions began! (LOL)[:'(]
Then there were others shortly thereafter like Latham etc. Just as extreme as many today. Previously they were ignored and tossed off the game commission. Today they run the game commission. And even though the predictions STILL never came to pass from long long ago, here we are.
The USP was formed quite a long time ago. I beleive t was in the 80's when bonus tags first came out and they have been screaming that we were going to kill all the deer since way back then. Even back in the 70's when I started hunting, i remember hearing a few guys at the gun club crying that killing all these does was going to ruin hunting in PA. "
So? They have a right to their opinion...Same as you or I. Just because they may disagree with you and at times me, doesnt make their opinions any less worthy of consideration. They too buy licenses and have vested interest. This is just one example of a time when they are nearly 100% correct in their stance. i dont necessarily support things like ending doe season etc. But They do see a real problem that most of us see quite clearly. I think there are simple solutions. Reasonable doe allocations. Pgc just isnt willing to be reasonable where hunters are concerned.
"Your tunnell vision citing the deer program as the sole reasonfor declining license sales is still grossly inaccurate."
I didnt say that. Its a significant, if not THEE MOST significant factor. And also the easiest to address, which is why its pure idiocy for pgc to completely ignore the issue and still act concerned over the hunter losses and cry poor-mouth to boot. HOw many hunters are they gonna accept being run off, just for the rest of us to make up the difference monetarily? And Im not talking individually, Im talking the total cumulatively. We would get SOOO much more with more of these hunters we're losing, plus by fixing the deer situation, which in turn would get them the license fee increase as well.
"Your claim thatthevast majority of Pa hunters is anywhere near as unhappy with things as you seem to be is also grossly inaccurate "
Not really. Im not as "unhappy" as most. Even PGc basically admits most are not tickled with the reduction but use the usual excuses to ignore the discontent in the name of "the greater good"....and for the good of society etc... Even though society doesnt equate to a small portion of timber industry and even smaller number of eco-extremists.
"and the only surveys regarding hunter satisfaction that are avaialable tell a story that is quite different."
Yeah. Ask people like pfsc! (LOL) (and conservationists!)....The very antideereco-extremists that are half of our problems to beginwith these days! (LOL) Only polls ive seen by pgc, where asked to selective individuals and they were only in regard to certain aspects like; do you approve of ar... Not how do you feel overall... Or how do you feel about hr.
They dont need to ask either. I think you know that as well as I do.
Pgc quit caring about hunters and the sport some time ago. When they started seating eco-extremist oriented and timber interest driven boc members. Pallone quickly comes to minds as a prime example.